Bittersweet

Did your grade school do Leprechaun traps as a project around St. Patrick's Day? Mine did, and I even did them with my Pre-K kids last year.  That used to be the most significant thing about St. Patrick's Day in my mind. Not anymore.

Now, St. Patrick's Day has two very large, very important memories attached to it. Which makes today very bittersweet.

After the Chris Tomlin concert Nov. 2011

You see, on St. Patrick's Day 5 years ago, Jerome got down on his knee and asked my the Question. The one that changes your whole life. Obviously, I said yes. We were celebrating our 2nd anniversary by doing dinner at the Top of the Riverfront, a rotating restaurant downtown on top of the Millenium Hotel. Then we went to the Arch grounds for a walk and he asked me to be his wife. (For those of you doing the math, we've been together for 7 years.) He's my best friend, and an incredibly Godly man, and I am so blessed to have him in my life.

From J's aunt's Facebook page.

But, also on St. Patrick's Day, 4 years ago (a year into our engagement), Jerome's cousin committed suicide. We were blindsided. He and Jerome were like best friends. They had begun sharing an apartment together, and David was to be a groomsman in our wedding. But even though they lived together, we didn't see any of the typical warning signs. No depression, no giving away of prized possessions, nothing. He was headed out to a friend's diaper poker party with brownies and Jello shots on Sunday and dead the next morning. He was smart. He was funny. He was kind. And we miss him.

Wow... Has it Really been 3 Years??

I typed this up on Monday or Tuesday with the intention of adding photos and posting it on Wednesday. Then time ran away, so I didn't get to it. Hence the 3 day late post, AND the double post...

3 years ago today was one of the best days of my life.

I got prettied up. 

 I took a bunch of photos

And most importantly,

I said "I do."

Taken at my best
friend's wedding
October 2011

Jerome and I have learned a lot over the last three years, and we're still learning. We're learning about each other and about marriage, and about who we want to be for the other.

It's been an amazing three years, but they've gone by so quickly. I know that when we're celebrating our fourth or tenth or thirtieth anniversary, I'll be saying the same thing.

When I said "I do," I didn't mean for that day. I didn't mean for the next few years. I didn't mean "unless we grow unhappy with each other." I said "I do" for my entire life.

I said "I do" to my husband and to God, and I made a promise, pledge, commitment, to both of them that I would be faithful, and loving, and respectful, and caring. But above all, that I would be THERE. My husband is my best friend, and I can't wait to see what the next three years bring.

One Year Older, One Sick Fiance.

For those of you who don't know, my birthday was Friday. I am now 22 years old. 22 is boring; nothing special happens. Except that your mom buys you "grown up clothes" (thanks Mom!!) because you don't have that many. She took me to Fashion Bug and got me some really cute tops and a pair of black dress pants.

Unfortunately, while I was out shopping Jerome was coming down with that bug going around. He's running a small fever and is coughy. I bought some meds and a thermometer and came over. I'm sitting on his couch as I type this, my phone by my side in case he needs anything (his roommate works nights, so he would be alone otherwise).

Let's see, what else is new? Not too much. School is going rather well; I'm keeping up with my readings and I'm halfway finished with a short essay due on Tuesday. It should be a good semester.

And, of course I'm super excited about Louisiana. We leave on Feb. 16. J and I and 2 other people might be leaving waaaaaaaay too early on Saturday to make the drive on Saturday because we need to check in on Saturday; otherwise we'll leave on Saturday morning, stay the night somewhere in Louisiana and then heading to Lake Charles on Sunday afternoon, stopping at the Tabasco factory on the way there. I can't wait.

Wendy, my suitemate froom Louisiana, experienced her first snow this weekend. And waht a snow, right?? SHe went sledding with friends and built a snowman with her roommate. She also fell four times. She just needs to learn how to walk on the ice. But she loves the snow. :-)

All for now. Have to finish that essay.

The Fox, Reception Halls, and New Apartments

We went to Wicked on Thursday. I heart the Fox. It's absolutely beautiful inside and it seems like there isn't a bad seat in the house. We were up in the balcony for Wicked. I can't believe how amazing this show is. The music, the costumes, the sets. AMAZING!!! I wished I could see it between the last time I saw it and this tme, but I'm kind of glad I didn't because it was like I was seeing it again for the first time. It deserves all the hype it's been given because it is FANTASTIC.

Yesterday was a LOOOOOOOOOONG day. But it was a good long day. It started at 10 with visits to reception venues: The Christy, Lake St. Louis, Stegton Regency, and Heart of St. CHarles Banquet Centers. I think that our consensus is with Lake St. Louis. Jan, the woman who owns it, was super nice, and she really cares about the parties she puts on. SHe spends all day cooking and then tends the bar during the reception. And she said she doesn't order from SYSCO or anything, so her food is prepared fresh. SHe and Jerome and I spent almost an hour just talking about various receptions she's done and her own kids who used the facility. It's family-owned, which also really appeals to me (plus it's in our price range). We'll make our final decision in about 6 weeks, once we have a good idea of what our budget is ('cause we'll be out of credit card debt). plus we're still considering renting a hall and having it catered.

After we looked at all those places, it was back ot Jerome's house to pack his stuff 'cause it was MOVING DAY!!! That's right, Jerome and David moved into their apartment last night. It was kind of tiring because the building faces a courtyard and not the parking lot so it was quite a trek, but we got everything moved in by about 11:00. We made a midnight run to Walmart for things like bowls, silverware, milk, and cereal so that they would have something to eat in the morning. When we left Walmart it was already snowing, so I stayed at the apartment instead of going home.

I forgot to bring my camera so I don't have pictures of my own, but Pam (David's mom) was taking lots of pictures; when she gets them developed I will upload them here.